Luke 21

The Widow’s Offering

21:1 Jesus1 looked up2 and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box.3 21:2 He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.4 21:3 He5 said, “I tell you the truth,6 this poor widow has put in more than all of them.7 21:4 For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth.8 But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.”9

The Signs of the End of the Age

21:5 Now10 while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned11 with beautiful stones and offerings,12 Jesus13 said, 21:6 “As for these things that you are gazing at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another.14 All will be torn down!”15 21:7 So16 they asked him,17 “Teacher, when will these things18 happen? And what will be the sign that19 these things are about to take place?” 21:8 He20 said, “Watch out21 that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’22 and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! 21:9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions,23 do not be afraid.24 For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.”25

Persecution of Disciples

21:10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms26 against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, and famines27 and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights28 and great signs29 from heaven. 21:12 But before all this,30 they will seize31 you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues32 and prisons. You33 will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 21:13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.34 21:14 Therefore be resolved35 not to rehearse36 ahead of time how to make your defense. 21:15 For I will give you the words37 along with the wisdom38 that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents,39 brothers, relatives,40 and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. 21:17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name.41 21:18 Yet42 not a hair of your head will perish.43 21:19 By your endurance44 you will gain45 your lives.46

The Desolation of Jerusalem

21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem47 surrounded48 by armies, then know that its49 desolation50 has come near. 21:21 Then those who are in Judea must flee51 to the mountains. Those52 who are inside the city must depart. Those53 who are out in the country must not enter it, 21:22 because these are days of vengeance,54 to fulfill55 all that is written. 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress56 on the earth and wrath against this people. 21:24 They57 will fall by the edge58 of the sword and be led away as captives59 among all nations. Jerusalem60 will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.61

The Arrival of the Son of Man

21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars,62 and on the earth nations will be in distress,63 anxious64 over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 21:26 People will be fainting from fear65 and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.66 21:27 Then67 they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud68 with power and great glory. 21:28 But when these things69 begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption70 is drawing near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

21:29 Then71 he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.72 21:30 When they sprout leaves, you see73 for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 21:31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know74 that the kingdom of God75 is near. 21:32 I tell you the truth,76 this generation77 will not pass away until all these things take place. 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.78

Be Ready!

21:34 “But be on your guard79 so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap.80 21:35 For81 it will overtake82 all who live on the face of the whole earth.83 21:36 But stay alert at all times,84 praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must85 happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

21:37 So86 every day Jesus87 was teaching in the temple courts,88 but at night he went and stayed89 on the Mount of Olives.90 21:38 And all the people91 came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.92

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